Central Coast Council has announced Pacific Link Housing Limited as its partner in the first stage of Council’s Affordable Housing Land Proposal program, following an Expression of Interest (EOI) process.
The program is a key initiative from Council’s Central Coast Affordable and Alternative Housing Strategy, which was adopted by Council in 2019.
Pacific Link Housing – the only locally-based Tier One Community Housing Provider – will now work with Council on the design and delivery of an affordable housing development on the identified site at Ashton Avenue, The Entrance.
Central Coast Council Administrator, Rik Hart, said the strategy is a comprehensive plan addressing initiatives across the housing continuum, from homelessness through to home ownership, providing pathways for a range of households from very low through to moderate incomes.
Mr Hart said the strategy is structured around three strategic themes:
- Affordable housing partnerships
- Planning mechanisms and strategies to increase the supply of affordable and lower cost housing
- Prevention and intervention to reduce homelessness
“Affordable housing comprises various types of housing in both the private and public sector,” Mr Hart said.
“It typically includes units, flats and other smaller lot dwellings that are less expensive than free standing homes.
“There is a common misconception that affordable housing refers to social or community housing.
“This is not true – affordable housing is much more than this and a diverse mix of housing types is required to meet the needs of our community.
“Over half of all (63 per cent) households on the Central Coast earn below $2000 a week and need affordable housing.”
Mr Hart said throughout the EOI process, Pacific Link Housing demonstrated a strong understanding and empathy of requirements in line with Council’s Affordable Housing Strategy.
“Following the announcement of Pacific Link Housing, the intention is to move forward together to enable Council to achieve key objectives in the direct creation of affordable housing on the Central Coast.”
Pacific Link Housing’s Chairman, Wal Edgell, congratulated Central Coast Council on the vision and foresight in adopting the innovative approach, stating that the land dealing is aligned to the Councillor-approved Affordable and Alternative Housing Strategy.
“We look forward to working with Council, local architects, consultants, contractors and the local community in developing affordable housing and potential community space.”
“The proposed development will benefit all of the community, from both a social and economic perspective, and provide secure housing to those in greatest need in our community.”
Pacific Link Housing CEO, Ian Lynch, said the proposal contemplated would have an integrated tenancy base, comprising largely of affordable housing for key workers, with other tenancy arrangements to be included, but yet to be fully determined at each end of the housing continuum.
“Pacific Link Housing will manage the property in the long term, providing asset and tenancy management as well as the coordination of wrap-around support services as needed.”
Mr Hart said that he is extremely proud of Council’s resolve in tackling the issue of housing on the Central Coast.
“We are leading the way and walking the talk with today’s announcement. It has been a challenging journey to get to this point, but I believe in our strategy, and now working with Pacific Link Housing we can really make a difference to many people’s lives here on the Central Coast.”
To view Central Coast Affordable and Alternative Housing Strategy visit https://www.centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/council/forms-and-publications/strategies-and-plans
